Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To the Owens Family - My prayers are with you and your family at this very difficult time. You were truly blessed to have Derek be a part of your lives. In this his short time here on earth, he touched a lot of lives and hearts and those fortunate enough to have crossed his path should feel blessed to have known such a special child of God. He is resting in peace now, with our Father in Heaven. Always in your heart and soul he will live - FOREVER.

Horne Family
Cleveland

March 7, 2008

One life has been taken from us
One voice has been silenced through hate
One father has left his children behind
One person regrets too late

One wife will sleep alone
Longing to feel safe again
One day at a time will be painfully lived
Because of another’s sin

One community grieves the loss
Of one of it’s brightest and best
One young man at risk,
Failed life’s most important test

One family will live in the shame
Of decisions he made in haste
One world weeps at the evil
the selfishness and waste

One group will try to justify
The terrible wrong that was done
That could have been avoided
But for the use of that gun

Bullets have no enemies
Guns no malice feel
But in the hands of cowards
Devastation is what they deal


One just man was running
Through the streets in the shadows of night
Seeking to stop the wrong
It was crime he had chosen to fight

It seems those on the side of the law,
are the ones who are asked to play fair.
Not to shoot or take a life
They are reminded always to care

Officers are often taken to task
if they dare to use their gun
But the others through their cowardice
Turn and fire then run
One man in uniform
Trained to hold his fire
The other who chose a life of crime
With escape as his desire

One man on the side of right
One man on the side of wrong
One who felt it was ok
To end another’s song

The ones on the side of crime
seem always to use the refrain
“It just came down to him or me”
To excuse destruction and pain

Wrong is the only reason
that Derek is no longer here
Crime has stolen another good life
It fills hearts with anger and fear

Thank you for caring Derek
Thank you for all you have done
You served bravely and well in the battle
Though the war may never be won

Thank you to each and everyone
Whose hearts are broken today
Who stand with tears in their eyes
not knowing what to say.


Thanks to the sisters and brothers in blue
Who will carry on this fight
That leads to dangerous places
in the dark of night

Godspeed Derek
We salute you as our hero
May you live in the house of the Lord forever,
Heaven is a better place for your being there.

A grateful citizen of Ohio

Grateful saddened Citizen
Former ER Nurse

March 7, 2008

Rest in peace brother, we did not get to know each other on earth, but we will meet on the other side. You will be sadly missed

Edward Detillion (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Office

March 7, 2008

To the Owen's Family,
I send my deepest sympathy to you. May God Bless you and your husband, Derek.

Someone who cares

March 7, 2008

I am so very sorry for your loss! Sounds like he was such a good man! My thoughts and prayers go out to all his family and friends! He is now your guardian angel. God bless you all

March 7, 2008

I would just like to give my heartfelt sympathy to Officer Owens family. My heart aches for them during this very difficult time. Many thoughts and prayers go out to you from many of us here in Ashtabula.

robin skelton
citizen from ashtabula

March 7, 2008

I give my deepest condolences to Mrs. Owens and her children, my heart goes out to her. I watched the news and just cried, I too am from a family of Cleveland Policemen
(my Father & Father In-law) what a wonderful father and husband he was. Just be strong and take care of the two beautiful children you both have created together, again my deepest sympathy.

Pam Mazzarella
Citizen

pamela mazzarella

March 7, 2008

My deepest sympathy goes out to the family and may God bless all of you who have lost this wonderful man. The babies are beautiful and I know that they will miss their daddy but God will help you.

Derek, thank you for your service, you will never be forgotten.

Diana
unknown friend

March 7, 2008

Mrs. Owens and family,

I cannot imagine your sorrow but just remember you are remembered by so many that will be there for your support. No words could say how sorry I am for the loss of your husband and father. He is truly in a better place. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Wife of an Officer

March 7, 2008

I Am Sorry for Your Loss.....

kay patton
n/a

March 7, 2008

My heart aches for you as you mourn this tragic loss, our prayers are with you, God is faithful, he will be your Strength in your time of need.

Ray and Lani
citizen

March 7, 2008

To the family of this compassionate Officer who gave his all to a city we all believe in, I pray for each of you. I hope you find peace and are able to cope knowing this loss is not in vain, that he has made a mark on so many lives, whether we have met him or not. Working with Officers daily, I feel for the Cleveland Police Dept. May you all be able to remember this man for his honor, and the duty he lived while serving. God Bless.

Disp. #375
A local Police Dept.

March 7, 2008

May God take you in his arms, We know we are in your arms. God Speed Brother.

Police Officer
Brooklyn North, NYPD

March 7, 2008

My condolences and prayers are with the family of Officer Owens. God bless you Derek Owens, you are a true hero.

Patrolman
Frankfort Police Dept.

March 7, 2008

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy" (Dr. Martin Luther King). Officer Owens accepted the challenge of righting a wrong for the citizens of Cleveland on March 1st, 2008, and the city should forever be in his debt. Edmund Burke the British statesman once said "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Such was not the case with Officer Owens. Rest easy my fellow brother in blue, for now you patrol a greater beat. From the son of the city and of a retired CPD detective, may God Bless the Men & Women of the Cleveland Police Department.

Sgt. Larry Gleba, Jr.
Newport News, VA Newport News Police Dept.

March 7, 2008

My condolences and prayers are with the family of Officer Owens. God bless you Derek Owens, you are a true hero.

Patrolman
Frankfort Police Dept.

March 7, 2008

To The Owens' family,
May all your memories give you comfort and peace during this difficult time. Our prayers are with you, Mrs. Owens and your family.

Ken & Carol Weiss
citizens

March 7, 2008

I cannot imagine what it would feel like to lose my own father.Please know that you are all loved, even by those who do not know you. Be strong and don't lose hope. You are in my prayers and thoughts, and I truly believe that God will comfort you through this.

Freshman Greg

March 7, 2008

Dear Mrs. Owens, I ache for you and your family. When I see the pictures of your beautiful family I cry. Derek sounded like a wonderful man. May you find strength to continue raising your son and daughter. As the song goes "The Good Die Young". I believe it. I am sure he will continue to look down on you and take care of you. May God bless you. Know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers each and every day. May time help ease your pain. Jeanne

jeanne debelak
saddened citizen

March 7, 2008

My prayers for comfort to all the family and friends. I offer my condolences to all the family and friends. A great man I wish I could have met. But none the less, he was a brother. I do hope that everyone can find comfort
and peace in this time of grieving for the loss of a loved one. He is now in a better place. Patroling the golden streets of his new heavenly community and guarding the
pearly gates of his holy city. God bless the family and
friends of Derek Owens.

Sincerely,
Ptl. Ronald G. Watts
Millersburg, OH

Ptl. Ronald G. Watts
Millersburg Police Department

March 7, 2008

I knew you briefly Officer Owens but you are at the top of the short list of honorable decent human beings I have known. You were taken away from us much too soon as you were destined for even greater deeds here on Earth.

God bless you, your family, friends and fellow officers. May everyone honor you by following your distinct and honorable path.

Until we meet again,

Sarge

March 7, 2008

Dear Mrs. Owens and Family,
Please accept my deepest condolences. My heart aches for you -- I'm caught between sorrow for you and rage at thr event. What a fine man Derek was, and what a terrible loss to you and to the rest of us as well! You'll meet again in Heaven, so hang in there until then.
MKM (Chardon)

Marlene McElroy
American Citizen in Mourning

March 7, 2008

TO THE FAMILY, YOU ARE ALL IN MY PRAYERS. MAY THE GOOD LORD BLESS AND KEEP YOU NOW AND ALWAYS, I AM SO SORRY TO HERE OF YOUR LOSS, AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT PEOPLE YOU HAVE NEER LAID EYES ON, LOVE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND THE LORD WILL BRING YOU LIGHT. STAY IN PRAYER AND EVEN THOUGH THIS SEEMS MORE THAN YOU CAN BARE, BELIEVE IN THE LORD, THIS IS NOT HIS DOING, BUT REJOICE IN THE FACT THAT HE IS IN HEAVEN PREPARING FOR YOU ALL ONE BY ONE. AMEN

Ms. Kym Fair
none

March 7, 2008

I feel so very deeply saddend for your loss. You have such a lovely family. I send blessings of peace to you and your children in this time of loss. I too had a terrible loss of two grandchildren this past year and i know that truly only time can help but it never totally takes away the pain. Thank you to your husband for protecting us all. Only very special people can do that job. I pray for him and you and your children. May the peace of the Lord be with you. God Bless us all and protect us. A fellow Ohioan.

March 7, 2008

To all of Those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for us....

It will be the little things
that you will remember,
the quiet moments,
the smiles, the laughter.
And although it may seem
hard right now,
it will be the memories
of these little things
that help to push
away the pain
and bring the smiles
back again.
At a time like this, we are at a loss for words
to express our condolence to someone who has lost a loved one.
How to say it to bring comfort?
How to say that we care?
How to say that we understand?
Words, however kind,
can't mend your heartache:
but those who care and
share your loss wish you
comfort and peace of mind.
May you find strength
in the love of family
and in the warm embrace
of friends.

May God keep you all safe and from harm in His loving arms until you meet and see your loved ones once again.... Linda and Garry Hahn

Garry and Linda Hahn

March 7, 2008